Ms Rachel Richards

This position works collaboratively within the Business Management Unit (BMU) who provide guidance to the LNIC Executive members in relation to commonwealth requirements and legislative guidelines.

The BMU are responsible for educating, enabling, coordinating and conducting procurement, providing Human Resources (HR) services, support and guidance and responsible for the coordination and management of the budget and finance related activities.

This role coordinates the detail required in order to work collaboratively with the Contract Manager and collectively completes the associated documentation to complete the procurement processes.

This role requires resilience, significant organisational skills, an ability to effectively and sensitively communicate, an ability to maintain stakeholder engagement, effective negotiation skills and ensures that the Commonwealth achieves and demonstrates value for money.

With approximately 80% of its workforce engaged as SME’s, this role serves a critical requirement in providing continuity of the workforce by supporting Executive members in the procurement of Subject Matter Experts (SME’s) and the recruitment of contractors through the engagement of external vendors.

This role defines, implements and manages the HR processes within LNIC, advises the Director LNIC – Army (DLNI-A) on HR issues and supports the executive, staff and vendors with HR challenges including performance management and grievances.

This role requires discretion dealing with sensitive information related to personal or business matters and this was achieved by establishing strong relationships with Executive members, vendors and contractors.

As the ACT Sales Manager, my key role was to educate clients about the many social and personal health and lifestyle benefits along with the financial understanding of committing to a purchase within an Independent Retirement Village.

The launch of ‘Yarra Rossa’ was scheduled for March 2020 with x3 information sessions (@80 attendees per session) booked out within the first week of the projects advertising campaign. Unfortunately, the project was suspended based on the Governments response to COVID-19. As a result, I conducted one on one presentations to navigate the delays.

This was achieved by forming engaging client relationships through excellent customer service and consistent followups and collaboration with the marketing teams to develop targeted campaigns that drove significant increases in qualified leads and overall sales performance.

Responsibilities included:

• Direct selling of Independent Living Unit accommodation options
• Achieve the necessary new stock sales targets in accordance with the budgeted project targets
• Prepare and distribute all associated contract documentation (initial deposit/settlement/liaison with solicitors/pre settlement inspections and handover)
• Develop and maintain effective sales networks with key stakeholders and interest groups
• Represent the developer (BaptistCare) and introduce its retirement village housing products to prospective clients
• Prepare and monitor sales performance to budget
• Maintain an accurate and up-to-date database of potential prospects and produce monthly statistical reports within CRM
• Conduct market research and undertake competitor analysis
• Provide sales and marketing support
• Assist the Director to develop and implement appropriate and related sales and marketing strategies, including co-ordination of sponsorship events, on-site events, open days, marketing collateral, etc
• Manage the Yarra Rossa Sales Suite and associated staff

As the Estate Manager across 2 project sites, I worked independently on site and reported to the Developer(s), Sales & Recruitment Manager and General Manager / Project Manager, and was accountable for ensuring all administrative, contract requirements, estate requirements and customer needs were met in accordance with the company’s policies and standards.

Responsibilities included:

• Accurately manage and qualify leads
• Manage the digital marketing platform in conjunction with the developer, Villawood Properties.
• Meet quarterly sales targets.
• Leverage off marketing collateral in product presentations.
• Communicate the sales process by clearly explaining clients requirements an financial obligations.
• Provide exceptional customer service
• Identify and provide options in order to meet specific customer requirements
• Network with builders and refer clients
• Demonstrate a detailed knowledge of relevant products Display a thorough understanding of the competitive environment, its participants and their product offerings.
• Maintain the Estates sales office
• Establish relationships with local financiers, solicitors and other relevant providers of property related services
• Identify community groups within the target market suitable for specific marketing / sponsorship campaigns.
• Mentor Sales Associates through ‘on the job’ training and report to the Sales & Recruitment Manager regarding their performance.

Exceptional Constructions is a residential building company in the ACT that offers its clients custom built homes with the focus on quality finishes.

As a family operated business, the role evolved as the business expanded and required significant time management and advanced organisational skills to successfully complete the broad variety of tasks.

Responsibilities included:

- Business development and management

• Identified reoccurring issues and developed rules and expectations of subcontractors and suppliers to create a harmonised solution for both parties.
• Identified and implemented necessary changes through feedback provided by clients.
• Discussed services with clients and relay constructive and solution focused content.
• Created business plan and identified/planned company structure.
• Negotiated prices, terms of sales and service agreements with suppliers and subcontractors.
• Created and scheduled communication framework and maintained relationships with sub-contractors and suppliers in view of maintaining ongoing business relationships.
• Created and implemented workplace, employee and management policies and procedures.

- Marketing

• Developed and implemented a marketing and advertising strategy.
• Coordinated, ordered and maintained promotional and marketing products.
• Designed, developed and maintained marketing material including website and social media.
• Coordinated and actively participated in functions, launches e.g. open days at HIA.

- Human Resources

• Developed company personnel policies, standard operating procedures and employee handbooks.
• Developed and facilitated all new-hire orientations and all recruitment activities.
• Conducted employment verifications and investigations.
• Established and monitored employee pay scales and entitlements.
• Conducted job analysis and job evaluations, resulting in quality job specifications.
• Trained, coached and mentored staff to ensure smooth adoption of new program.
• Provided counselling/notices where necessary to employees regarding work performance.
• Created Staff Code of Conduct and usage of company cards and vehicles policy.

- Financial Management

• Assisted in the preparation of business/marketing plans and financial statements.
• Decreased business overheads through restructure of business and negotiation of rates.
• Identified major instance of fraud, and recouped cost to business.
• Provided timely actuals, forecast and budget data.
• Reviewed collection reports to determine the status of collections and outstanding balances.
• Performed periodic budgeting/modelling to project monthly cash requirements.
• Negotiated pricing with vendors regarding billing and marketing procedures.
• Coordinated asset higher purchases and coordinated specified documents for business banking requirements.

- Accounts payable and receivable

• Provided accurate data entry in MYOB.
• Coordinated weekly payroll, taxes and superannuation.
• Compiled financial reports pertaining to cash receipts, expenditures and profit and loss.
• Performed complex accounting functions, including preparation of journal entries, account analysis and balance sheet reconciliations.
• Reconciled discrepancies between accounts receivable general ledger account and accounts receivable trial balance account.
• Recovered overdue payments.
• Created daily and weekly cash forecast reports for accounting management.
• Attended and contributed to Directors financial management meetings.
• Office management
• Kept organized documentation of each individual building project.
• Oversaw inventory and office supply purchases.
• Managed and responded to all correspondence and inquiries from customers and vendors.
• Coordinated and schedule meetings for clients and subcontractors.
• Answered office phone, addressed customer inquiries, solved problems and provided information.

- Property Management

• Managed rental properties on behalf of the Company including: advertising, screening applicants, tenancy applications, bonds, rental payments and terminations/break lease processes.
• Prepared specifications, solicited bids and approved subcontractors for building repairs.
• Communicated effectively with tenants.
• Coordinated the sale of properties.

• Managed the workflow of the Divisions HR requests (300+ staff)
• Provided advice for managers and Senior Executive Staff (SES) reporting requests
• Actioned position number movements, creations and updates (SAP)
• Coordinated permanent and temporary recruitment activities, contracts, advertising and advice.

• Managed and co-ordinated the recruitment intake and coordinated the rotations of IT Graduates.
• Conducted market research relating to the recruitment of IT Graduates.
• Modified existing online recruitment system to gain efficiencies for current graduate intake.
• Represented the Department in promoting and advertising the graduate intake.
• Coordinated and produced advertising material for universities and TAFE campus’s.
• Managed, maintained and updated a Skills and Knowledge Register.
• Managed ‘Training Facilitation’ by sourcing appropriate courses for staff (as identified in performance agreements) and coordinated the associated role out.
• Developed recruitment guidelines for managers and monitored the recruitment process of new starters within the Employment Systems Group.
• Coordinated and maintained a Procedures Manual for the team.
• Liaised with and coordinated presentations for the Employment Systems Group Staff Induction’s.
• Managed the workflow, identified staff training requirements and mentored staff within the team.
• Managed non-ongoing IT Contracts (renewals, new recruits and termination of contracts).

• Designed an external recruitment system in line with departmental guidelines and requirements (NGA.Net) to recruit for the establishment of a new branch located remotely in North Ryde, NSW which employed approx 320 new staff.
• Coordinated media advertisements for administrative, managerial and technical positions.
• Coordinated marketing activities to attract candidates in North Ryde.
• Maintained and reported on expenditure.
• Researched and coordinated assessment centres, on line tests and psychometric testing.
• Lead, managed and assisted the team to successfully conduct the full life cycle of recruitment including coordination of shortlisting, interviews, coordination of questions, scribing, recommendations, booking of venues, flights and accommodation.

• After completing my traineeship, I was employed with the Australia New Zealand Food Authority as an administrative assistant
• Over the years, I was introduced to new areas including Secretariat, Marketing and Human Resources
• I enjoyed Human Resources and focused on advancing my career in this field.

• The Traineeship consisted of 4 rotations within various areas of the department and part-time study at the Canberra Institute of Technology
• The roles consisted of administrative duties and assistance to the finance and human resources sections within the department
• The Traineeship was a competency-based program.